Osano, Karlshoj Triumph In Citrus 10k

March 3, 1996|By Martin Comas of The Sentinel Staff

WINTER HAVEN — Thomas Osano hates running in the rain. But even in Saturday's wet weather the Kenyan runner was able to beat some of the fastest distance runners in the world to win the Foundation Citrus Classic 10K.

''I started out running a nice pace,'' Osano said. ''I knew I was controlling the race so I just kept pushing it.''

Benson Masya finished 4 seconds behind Osano, and Joseph Kamau finished third in 28:42. The top five were from Kenya.

A lead pack of 14 runners ran through the first mile in 4:36. After four miles the pack thinned to Osano, Masya, Kamau and Zakaria Kunyiha.

Osano has been training in Tampa after competing in the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K last week where he finished 14th.

In the women's division Karlshoj, 36, ran close to Slaney until passing her at the fifth mile.

''It's a tough course, especially with the hills at the end,'' Karlshoj said. ''I tried to stay as close to Mary as I could. I know I'll get good competition when I come here.'' Running in her first race in almost two years, Slaney, 37, started the race with her coach Alberto Salazar. She trains in Eugene, Ore., and hopes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in the 5,000 meters.

Keith Brantly of Fort Lauderdale, who will be representing the United States in the Olympic marathon in Atlanta this year, finished in just more than 47 minutes. He is recovering after running the Olympic Marathon Trials two weeks ago and decided to jog with friends on Saturday.

Alec Rukosuev of Apopka was the first Central Florida resident to cross the finish line in 31:38.